[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H11362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HEALTH CARE EQUALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2003

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation to 
improve the health of racial and ethnic minorities in our Nation, the 
Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act of 2003.
  This act will offer Congress the opportunity to begin to close the 
health care divide and disparity that exists between Americans, a 
divide that cannot be ignored nor should it be tolerated. The 
irrefutable facts will be presented today for all of us to see. This 
disparity is real and this divide exists.
  To ignore these facts is tantamount to perpetuating the dual system 
of health care in our country, separate and unequal, a dual system that 
too often denies to communities of color, Latinos, Native Americans, 
African Americans, and Asian Pacific Islanders, the health care access 
and quality that most Americans enjoy. This pattern of exclusion of 
people from quality health care is morally wrong and is a significant 
deterrent to the overall progress of our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation to address racial and ethnic health 
disparities in this country would do the following: it would set the 
elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities as a goal. The 
elimination of racial and health disparities can and should be a goal 
for all Americans. The health of all our communities is enhanced when 
we work to close the health care divide.
  It would expand the health care safety net. The lack of health 
insurance and access to health services result in significant decline 
of the health status within racial and ethnic minorities communities in 
this country. The availability, quality, and affordability of health 
care coverage options and to provide meaningful access to health 
services must be expanded in cooperation with health care providers and 
employers in order to successfully address the divide of racial and 
ethnic health communities and their delivery of health services.
  The other point that is, I think, very important for us to consider 
is that ensuring health care access is in compliance with the civil 
rights law. Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and its subsequent 
amendments provide crucial rights to individuals with limited English 
proficiency to access federally conducted and supported programs and 
activities. Limited English proficiency persons should not be inhibited 
from accessing vital health care services paid by them and their 
families in their tax dollars.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in endorsing 
this important bill. An action by Congress long overdue, if we have the 
will and resources to pursue international adventures--then we should 
have the same resolve here at home.

                          ____________________